Save South First | Stop the Cumberland Road and South First 8-story high-rise

** Donate to help stop 8 story building on S. First Street : https://www.gofundme.com/f/austin-citizens-unite-for-community-voice **

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We Need Your Help to Save South First and stop the construction of an 8-story building on S. First Street!

The GENA board has learned that the property at Cumberland Rd and South First St has received an approved site plan and plans to break ground soon. We need your help to say no to developers and stop the Cumberland Road and South First high-rise. Our best next step is to raise awareness in the community and online through our Instagram (@savesouthfirstatx ) and to raise the funds needed to file an injunction. Please spread the word by following @savesouthfirstatx on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest!


Donate to help us file an injunction through our legal fund gofundme campaign.

Communications & Media


Media inquiries? Email communications@gena.org.
Do you have local media contacts? Please reach out to communications@gena.org to help us get connected.

The site combines three lots: 600 Cumberland Rd, 2612 S 1st St, and 2610 S 1st St. See the developer’s renderings here.


What Has Been Approved

  • 8 stories
  • 120 rental units
  • Setbacks as little as 5 ft
  • 2 floors of underground parking; approx. half of units will not have a parking space
Mockup, to scale, showing nearby homes
Overheard view of approximate building footprint


Why We’re Against It

  • TRAFFIC: Cumberland Rd is already at “undesirable” levels based on the city’s traffic analysis from May 2025. More cars & commercial activity will only make congestion worse.
  • PARKING: Nearly half the units lack parking—causing spillover onto neighborhood streets or reliance on unreliable transit.
  • TOO CLOSE: An 8-story wall just feet from single-family homes.
  • NO TRANSPARENCY: The developer avoids community input & keeps neighbors in the dark.


Why Again? How Is This Even Possible?

In fall 2024, the owner sought a DB-ETOD variance, a different affordability program. The DB-ETOD variance required notifying neighbors and a formal hearing at the Board of Adjustments. Y’all showed up BIG to oppose it, and they withdrew their petition.

Now, the owner is using Affordability Unlocked, which doesn’t require community notice or input to waive height and setback limits.

Notably, Affordability Unlocked allows a building height of 1.5x the base zoning (i.e. from 60 to 90 ft maximum), and it completely waives the compatibility buffer requirement to adjacent single family homes, which is normally 25 ft.


How You Can Help


1. Tell Your Neighbors!
We need everyone’s support! Feel free to use the flyer below to share information about this project with your neighbors.

Cumberland & S First Flyer (PDF)


2. Speak Up:
Contact Council Member José Velásquez (512-978-2103 or e-mail) to share your concerns about the project’s scale and impact.

3. Show Up:
Attend hearings, events, and block walks. These will be announced via e-mail, our website, and our Facebook group.

4. Get Involved:
Want to help more directly? Contact Patty at president@gena.org.

5. Donate to the Legal Fund Here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/austin-citizens-unite-for-community-voice

Where Can I Learn More?